The devil’s advocate

Devil’s advocate: a person who expresses a contentions opinion in order to provoke debate or test the strength of the opposing arguments.

Someone who pretends, in an argument or discussion, to be against an idea or plan that a lot of people support, in order to make people discuss and consider it in more detail:

I don’t really believe all that – I was just playing devil’s advocate.

Cambridge Dictionary

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THE DEVIL’S ADVOCATE Monsignor Verde, Promotor Fidei (also known as the Avocatus Diaboli) opposes the canonisation of Jeanne d’Arc

Someone who supports an opposite argument or one that is not popular in order to make people think seriously

AMERICAN DICTIONARY

Satan before the Lord

Satan before the Lord

The phrase “the Devil’s advocate” is actually an idiomatic expression that originated from the Roman Catholic Church. It refers to a person who deliberately presents counterarguments or challenges to a proposal, argument, or decision in order to test its validity and identify any flaws or weaknesses. Here are the key points of the proverb “the Devil’s advocate”:

  1. Challenging assumptions: The Devil’s advocate is someone who challenges assumptions, opinions, or decisions in order to provoke critical thinking and thorough analysis. They may take a contrary position or raise objections to encourage a more comprehensive evaluation of an idea or proposal.

  2. Testing validity: The Devil’s advocate serves as a skeptic, probing and questioning the logic, evidence, and rationale behind a proposition. By playing the role of the Devil’s advocate, one aims to identify potential weaknesses or flaws that may have been overlooked in the original argument.

  3. Encouraging debate: The Devil’s advocate fosters healthy debate and discussion by presenting alternative viewpoints and promoting constructive dialogue. This helps to ensure that decisions are thoroughly examined from different angles and that potential risks or downsides are carefully considered.

  4. Promoting critical thinking: The Devil’s advocate encourages critical thinking and analysis, challenging assumptions and encouraging a deeper examination of ideas or proposals. This helps to avoid biases, uncover potential blind spots, and arrive at more well-informed and robust conclusions.

  5. Enhancing decision-making: By providing a counterbalancing perspective, the Devil’s advocate helps decision-makers to make more informed and thoughtful choices. By thoroughly scrutinizing proposals and arguments, the Devil’s advocate aids in identifying potential weaknesses or risks and facilitates more informed decision-making.

  6. Fostering intellectual humility: The Devil’s advocate promotes intellectual humility, recognizing that not all ideas or proposals are perfect and may benefit from scrutiny and challenge. It encourages a willingness to consider diverse viewpoints and recognize that one’s own perspective may have limitations.

  7. Respecting differing opinions: The Devil’s advocate emphasizes the importance of respecting differing opinions and encourages open-mindedness and tolerance towards alternative viewpoints. It promotes healthy debate and critical analysis without resorting to personal attacks or hostility.

In summary, the proverb “the Devil’s advocate” refers to the practice of deliberately challenging assumptions, testing the validity of proposals, and promoting critical thinking and debate. It encourages a thorough examination of ideas and decisions to ensure their robustness and validity, and fosters intellectual humility and open-mindedness.

“The Devil’s Advocate” is a novel by Morris West published in 1959, and it was also made into a movie in 1997. It tells the story of a young lawyer named Kevin, who is hired by a prestigious law firm in New York City and quickly rises through the ranks. The novel explores various themes, including morality, ambition, and the nature of evil. Here are some key points from “The Devil’s Advocate”:

  1. Kevin’s rise to success: The novel follows Kevin, a talented and ambitious lawyer, as he joins a powerful law firm and quickly ascends the corporate ladder. He becomes a rising star in the legal profession, winning high-profile cases and gaining wealth and prestige.

  2. Mysterious and charismatic leader: John Milton, the enigmatic and charismatic leader of the law firm, takes Kevin under his wing and becomes his mentor. Milton is known for his persuasive and manipulative skills, and he has a reputation for being ruthless and cunning. However, Kevin gradually realizes that there may be more to Milton than meets the eye.

  3. Moral dilemmas: As Kevin’s career progresses, he is faced with a series of moral dilemmas. He must navigate complex legal and ethical issues, including defending clients he believes may be guilty and making compromises that challenge his personal values. Kevin struggles with the tension between his ambition and his conscience, as he grapples with the moral implications of his actions.

  4. Supernatural elements: “The Devil’s Advocate” introduces supernatural elements into the story. As Kevin delves deeper into the mysteries of the law firm and Milton’s true nature, he uncovers dark secrets and encounters supernatural forces that challenge his perceptions of reality.

  5. Exploration of good vs. evil: The novel delves into the nature of good and evil, and the lines between them blur as Kevin wrestles with the choices he must make. The novel raises philosophical questions about the nature of morality, the existence of evil, and the choices individuals make when faced with moral dilemmas.

  6. Psychological and emotional struggles: Kevin undergoes psychological and emotional struggles as he grapples with the choices he makes, the consequences of his actions, and the revelations he uncovers. The novel delves into Kevin’s internal conflicts and emotional turmoil as he tries to reconcile his ambition with his sense of right and wrong.

  7. Climactic ending: “The Devil’s Advocate” builds towards a climactic ending as Kevin confronts the truth about Milton and the true nature of the law firm. The novel’s conclusion is thought-provoking and raises questions about the nature of morality, human nature, and the consequences of one’s choices.

Overall, “The Devil’s Advocate” is a thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes and raises philosophical questions about morality, ambition, and the nature of evil. It delves into the psychological and emotional struggles of its protagonist as he navigates the dark and mysterious world of the legal profession.

Exploding iPhone Prank

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18 dec. 2012

 
Our beautiful prankster Nadja borrows people’s cell phones (sometimes iPhones) to make a call, but it starts getting smokey and hot. In a panic she throws it into a nearby bush where it proceeds to explodes! Wasn’t there a recall on the self-combusting phones?

That’s the last straw

As clear as mud

Current Page

Struggling like a devil

A bridge too far

Slip through the